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12 Jun 2014

John Gromada

Photo by Joseph Marzullo/WENN

Sound designer John Gromada, who was Tony-nominated for Best Sound Design of a Play in 2013 for the revival of The Trip to Bountiful, has started an online petition to reinstate the Tony Awards for Sound Design following the June 11 announcement that the categories of Best Sound Design of a Play and Best Sound Design of a Musical had both been eliminated.

The Tony Awards Administration Committee made two announcements June 11 concerning the 2014-15 season. One of the rulings stated, "The Best Sound Design of a Play and Best Sound Design of a Musical will be eliminated from the competitive categories in the 2014-2015 season; however, the Tony committee holds the right to determine a special Tony award for certain productions that have excelled in this particular design realm."

In his petition on thepetitionsite.com, designer Gromada says, "Sound Design is a theatrical design art that is a critical part of the collaborative art of theatre. The American Theatre Wing should continue to honor excellence in sound design as it does for scenery, costume and lighting design, and as it has done since 2008. Sound designers are an important part of the theatrical community whose vital contributions cannot be ignored or dismissed. Reverse this decision now!"

The petition is aimed at the American Theatre Wing Tony Administration Committee. As of the morning of June 12, the petition has already received nearly 6,000 signatures.